Seconding the recommendation above! Honestly, if you're tryin' to stay under that $600 mark, skipping the OEM dealer markup is definitely the way to go. I've been researching this like crazy for my own PHEV and found a solid alternative that hasn't been mentioned yet.

You might wanna consider the Draw-Tite 76621 Class 3 Trailer Hitch Receiver. It's usually around $220-$250 online, which leaves plenty of room in your budget for a good wiring kit.

One thing though—be REALY careful with the hands-free liftgate sensor. Most aftermarket hitches, including the Draw-Tite and the Curt mentioned earlier, will block the center sensor. You basically have to kick slightly to the left or right of the receiver to get it to work. It's kinda annoying at first, but you get used to it! Also, make sure to pick up the Tekonsha 118863 Towing Harness if you want a reliable plug-and-play setup for the lights. It's way cheaper than the Mazda module and works great. GL with the install! 👍

sooo i went with the Curt 13511 Class 3 Trailer Hitch on my CX-90 and honestly, i'm super happy with it. basically cost me like $200 for the part, which is way cheaper than the OEM stuff.

- It sits pretty high so ground clearance is fine tho.
- It DID mess with my hands-free liftgate sensor a bit, but i kinda just learned where to kick now lol.
- For wiring, I used the Tekonsha 118863 T-One Connector which was an easy plug-and-play install.

Definitely saved me a ton of money and works well for my bike rack!! gl

Hey! Congrats on the CX-90, honestly it’s such a fun drive. I was in the same boat worrying about my PHEV's sensors and ground clearance. If ur really concerned about the liftgate sensor and safety, I would suggest looking at the Stealth Hitches Rack and Tow Combination for 2024 Mazda CX-90. It's totally hidden when you aren't using it, which is SO cool and keeps the bumper looking stock.

Tbh, for the wiring side, I’d seriously stick with the Mazda OEM Trailer Hitch Wiring Harness VA40-V7-780 even if it’s a bit pricier. Since the PHEV has all those complex electrical systems, using the official harness is way safer and ensures everything like the parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring behaves correctly when you're towing. It might be a tight fit for ur $600 budget but it works well and I have zero complaints! Good luck!

Just found this thread and wanted to chime in from a long-term perspective! Tbh, most people focus on the price tag upfront, but you gotta think about how the PHEV handles the extra weight over time. One option I haven't seen mentioned is the EcoHitch by Torklift. It’s basically the middle ground—much higher ground clearance than the Curt/Draw-Tite options because it actually requires a small notch in the bumper trim, but it’s way cheaper than the Stealth setup. After towing a small utility trailer for a few months, I've realized that keeping that departure angle is HUGE, especially if ur camping and dealing with uneven dirt roads. Also, keep in mind that the CX-90 PHEV has a specific "Tow Mode" in the Mi-Drive settings. If you go too cheap on the wiring, the car might not recognize the trailer, which affects how the electric motor and engine balance the load. It can get a bit JUMPY if the software isn't in sync. TL;DR: Go with the EcoHitch for the best clearance-to-price ratio, and don't skimp on a harness that integrates with the car's computer or you'll regret it on long hills!

Seconding the recommendation above regarding the aftermarket route. Honestly, if you're trying to stay under $600, the OEM path is basically a non-starter once you factor in the dealer's labor rates and that pricey control module.

I've been looking into this for my own PHEV and I gotta say, you might want to consider the Draw-Tite 76621 Class 3 Trailer Hitch Receiver as a solid alternative to the Curt. It's usually around $215-$250 depending on where you shop. Here's the deal though:

* **Ground Clearance:** It tucks up pretty tight, but like most aftermarket hitches, it's gonna hang just below the bumper. You lose maybe an inch of clearance, but it's not a dealbreaker for camping.
* **Sensor Issues:** This is the big one. Any hitch *might* mess with the hands-free kick sensor because it blocks the signal path. I've seen some guys literally zip-tie the sensor slightly to the left to keep it working. It's a bit of a hack but it works!
* **Wiring:** Since you're doing a utility trailer, look at the Curt 56468 Custom Wiring Harness. It's plug-and-play and way cheaper than the Mazda harness.

Just be careful when installing—the PHEV has some extra shielding underneath that the gas version doesn't. Definitely take your time and maybe have a buddy help you lift it into place so you dont scratch your new paint. gl!! 👍

Ok so, I've been doing a deep dive into the market data for the CX-90 PHEV hitch options because I'm super cautious about safety and that delicate liftgate sensor!! Honestly, before you pull the trigger, I have a couple of clarifying questions to make sure you get the best fit:

1. Are you planning to do most of the towing with the battery charged, or are you worried about the extra weight affecting the PHEV's specific suspension tuning?
2. Is the hands-free liftgate a dealbreaker for you, or would you be okay with potentially losing a bit of that sensitivity for a sturdier mount?

You might find this useful—check out the 'etrailer' fitment guides and the 'Mazda247' forums. They have amazing, technical breakdowns of how different brands impact the rear sensor range. Seriously, the market research shows that going professional for the harness is fantastic for peace of mind! gl!